Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

break the ice

/ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.78 in modern English

Syllables: break the ice
IPA: /ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/

22

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

1

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.

verb

To introduce a conversation.

verb

To surmount initial difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning.

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see break, the, ice.

Example Sentences

"Including a few fun details in large group introductions can be a great way to break the ice."
"If it be so ſir, that you are the man Muſt ſteed us all, and me amongſt the reſt: And if you breake the ice and do this ſeeke, Atchieve the elder: ſet the yonger free, For our acceſſe, whose hap ſhall be to have her, will not so graceleſſe be, to be ingrate."

Etymology

By application of the metaphor that strangers are socially separated by ice.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/
British English: /ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/

Inflected Forms

breaks the ice (present, singular) breaking the ice (participle, present) broke the ice (past) broken the ice (participle, past)

Derived Forms

icebreaker

Phrases

shatter the ice

Questions

How do you pronounce break the ice?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/.
What does break the ice mean?: To start to get to know people to avoid social awkwardness and formality.
Where does break the ice come from?: By application of the metaphor that strangers are socially separated by ice.

How to pronounce break the ice

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “break the ice”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbɹeɪk ði ˈaɪs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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